The best restaurants in Brisbane now include glamorous bar & grills, new-school Italian restaurants and buzzy riverside dining destinations. For twenty years, people have been talking about how Brisbane’s restaurant scene is changing, and these days it’s regarded as one of Australia’s great dining destinations. I’ve rounded up a short but selective list of the best restaurants in Brisbane, including SK Steak & Oyster, Agnes, Greca & more. This is just the beginning!
I grew up in Brisbane and return to visit my family as often as possible. I’ve been working in hospitality marketing for nearly ten years, in Melbourne and New York City, which so I have very strong opinions when it comes to restaurants – I’d recommend these to my nearest & dearest.
Agnes
Agnes is one of the best restaurants in Brisbane, housed in a heritage-listed former bacon factory in the backstreets of Fortitude Valley. The entire menu is wood-fired, with no electricity or gas being used for cooking. I celebrated my 29th birthday lunch at Agnes, shortly after I moved back to Australia from New York City. Even after two years of dining at some of the world’s best restaurants in New York City (for work & play), Agnes impressed. You’d be forgiven for assuming a woodfired restaurant is no place for a pescatarian, but on the contrary I couldn’t have fit in everything I wanted to order! Nearly a year later, I’m still thinking about those woodfired carrots with smoked labne. Agnes is by Executive Chef Ben Williamson and business partners Tyron Simon, Biancha Marchi & Frank Li.
SK Steak & Oyster
SK Steak & Oyster is relatively new, but is already regarded as one of the best restaurants in Brisbane. I’ve visited a few times, from an impromptu drink at the bar which turned into a seafood tower dinner, to celebrating my latest birthday here with a long lunch. It juxtaposes white table cloths and a grand piano in the corner with soaring ceilings and sleek architecture, so while it feels special, it’s never stuffy. Obviously, steak and the raw bar are the main events here, but don’t sleep on the potato menu – a dream come true with lobster mash, potato gratin and every other expression of potato worth eating.
Greca
Greek taverna Greca was an instant hit in Brisbane’s trendy Howard Smith Wharves. Brisbane has no shortage of excellent Greek restaurants (there are three just on this list!), but Greca stands out for it’s buzzy atmosphere and stellar location on the Brisbane River. Make sure you request an outdoor table so you can enjoy the views of the Brisbane river, Story Bridge and the city. The taramasalata, grilled calamari and chocolate metaxa pudding are unmissable!
Iris Rooftop
It’s a rare hotel restaurant that is a genuine dining destination in its own right, but Iris rooftop restaurant at Hotel X is easily the best Spanish restaurant in Brisbane. I celebrated my 30th birthday lunch here with my family, and we were all so blown away by the food, not to mention the views! Iris is such a lovely spot, with a delicious Mediterranean menu.
Bianca
Chic Italian restaurant Bianca is in the heart of James Street’s dining precinct, near the Calile Hotel. The restaurant has a sleek, glamorous fit out and the menu is inspired by classic Italian trattorias. When we dined here with friends, it was perfect for our group because the menu had plenty of seafood, gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options.
Opa
Opa is a pretty, relaxed Greek restaurant on Eagle Street Pier, and was so good that we returned within 24 hours! Dining options can be surprisingly slim in this part of the city, and Opa’s fresh, light and delicious Greek menu was exactly what I was looking for in the 48 hours before our wedding. Grab a booth at the front of Brisbane River views.
Rothwell’s Bar & Grill
Rothwell’s Bar & Grill is one of the best restaurants in Brisbane’s CBD, with a glamorous fit out and elegant menu of seafood, steak & pasta. I recently had dinner here to catch up with a girlfriend, and will definitely be back on future trips to Brisbane!
Lefkas
For a more casual, family-style Greek taverna, head to Lefkas in West End. Owners Angela & John Theoharis have been offering warm, generous hospitality and family-style Greek dining for more than 15 years, which is no easy feat anywhere, let alone in Brisbane! It’s one of my favourite spots to visit with my family, who also love Greek food, so we visited last time I was in Brisbane.
More Brisbane restaurants to try
It would be remiss of me to write about the best restaurants in Brisbane and not mention the critically acclaimed and locally loved restaurants that have stood the test of time. I haven’t yet dined there myself, but I only hear good things about Gerard’s Bistro on James Street, 1889 Enoteca in Woolloongabba, E’cco Bistro in Newstead, Queensland’s most awarded French restaurant Montrachet.
Newer restaurants that have caught my eye include Joy, Restaurant Dan Arnold and Detour.
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